It’s Easy Being Green: 4 Environmentally Friendly Homes

Blending sustainability with stylish design, these four distinctive homes prove that reducing a home’s carbon footprint doesn’t mean sacrificing luxury.

Spanish-Inspired Aerie

High in the hills of Santa Barbara, this majestic 4,261-square-foot residence combines Spanish inspiration with Built Green certification and forward-thinking solar power. Impeccably updated in 2010 with the finest materials and craftsmanship, it features living and entertaining areas with soaring ceilings, an owner’s retreat, three guest suites, French doors to breathtaking balconies and terraces, enviable views from nearly every room, and outdoor spaces that include terraced gardens, a vegetable patch, a fire pit, and sun-drenched patios.

Sleek Houston Haven

Boasting clean lines, a minimalist palette, and open-plan living spaces, this stylish four-bedroom home is an inviting contemporary oasis. Highlights include a chef’s kitchen with Caesarstone counters, dining space with a buffet and wine chiller, a living area with a double-sided fireplace, thoughtfully positioned windows and skylights, a secluded owner’s suite balcony, and a screened porch overlooking the landscaped backyard and lawn. Completing an aspirational picture of modern living, the grounds feature water-conscious xeriscaping, and the home is positively HERS rated for its energy efficiency.

Innovative Construction in Cos Cob

Structurally insulated panel construction, triple-paned Pella windows and doors, superior water- and air-filtration technology, and other innovations in building science set this 6,400-square-foot Cos Cob home apart by reducing energy demand and minimizing maintenance. Combining classical influences with sleek lines and an easy airy ambience, it features a striking floating staircase, a kitchen with top-caliber appliances, an owner’s suite with cathedral ceilings and walk-in closets, two offices, and an array of generous decks.

Classic Meets Contemporary in Santa Fe

This chic, spacious new home and two-bedroom guesthouse combine extraordinary contemporary design with the singular stylistic atmosphere of Santa Fe. Flawless entertaining is easy thanks to an airy great room with a fireplace, a kitchen with outstanding appliances and a quartz-topped island, a climate-controlled 500-bottle wine room, a breezy portal, an outdoor kitchen with a grill and a pizza oven, and a roof deck with a sweeping panorama. Attention has been paid to environmental considerations, outfitting the estate with a private well and solar power.